Chapter 39.2

Translated by Wook Edited by Wook

Time slipped through the fingers, and another major event happened in the court. There were successive earthquakes in Weinan and Huayin areas of Shaanxi Province, causing heavy casualties. There were funerals every few households. Xiao Yu was so busy that he never entered the harem again.

Empress Dowager Chu was not in good health now, so the morning greetings were exempted, but every half a month, she would summon the imperial concubines once, and inquired about the affairs of the harem.

Qin Ling was going to see the empress dowager for the first time today after she moved palace, so Zhu Xin and Zhu Lan were very attentive.

Zhu Xin looked into the mirror while adorning Qin Ling and said lightly: “Master, the disaster is so serious right now, so this servant will not add gold hairpins to your hair bun. How about this sea-water patterned jade hairpin instead?”

Zhu Lan held up the turquoise hairpin and said: “The green skirt will look good with this moon-white short coat. What does Master think?”

Qin Ling smiled and nodded in agreement.

Half an hour later, Qin Ling brought Xiao Yun to Cining palace. Empress Dowager Chu immediately smiled and said: “ Yun’er , come to Imperial Grandmother.”

Xiao Yun walked over, saluted respectfully, and said slowly: “Grandson wishes Imperial Grandmother good health.”

Xiao Yun learned to speak late, so although he could understand words, when he spoke, it sounded a little rusty.

Before they came here, Qin Ling told him to say what he wanted to say slowly, no need to worry.

The child’s voice was sweet and cute, coupled with this slow tone, it was no different from being a spoiled child.

Empress Dowager Chu touched the back of Xiao Yun ’s head, raised her eyes, and said to Qin Ling : “The eldest prince’s temperament is indeed a lot brighter than before. You’ve done a lot.”

Hearing the empress dowager’s undisguised praise, Xu Lanzhi couldn’t help looking at Qin Ling ’s face.

The complexion looked good, bright like spring flowers. It was truly a good appearance.

Everyone in the palace said that she looked very much like the late empress.

How similar was it to make that person give up the Xu family and choose that powerless, unknown, and hopeless Qin family as the maternal family of the eldest prince?

Qin Ling bowed and said: “That’s all the contribution of the Imperial Tutor. This concubine doesn’t dare to take credit.”

Empress Dowager Chu smiled a little, then said to Consort Liu : “Consort Liu , the current disaster situation in the court is tense. It is good that you’ve taken the initiative in reducing the expenses of the palace.”

Consort Liu said: “I don’t deserve so much praise from Your Highness. This concubine and the other sisters are married to His Majesty, since we cannot help His Majesty, all we can do is save some money.”

After that, Consort Xue couldn’t help but exclaim “oh” and said: “What do you mean you don’t deserve the praise? This concubine remembers that Big Sister Liu used to burn hundreds of firewood every day. It could be said that you’ve sacrificed so much in this period!”

With the change of power in the harem, Consort Xue naturally disliked Consort Liu , so she spoke mockingly. It might be assumed that she had not let go of the grudge from being deprived of the right to manage the Six Palaces.

But the winners were naturally indulgent towards the losers. Consort Liu didn’t respond to her, and simply turned her head to say that the eldest prince seemed to have grown taller.

Xiao Yun cupped his hands to answer and said slowly: “Consort Mother measured it for erchen yesterday.” After speaking, he stretched one finger above his head: “I’ve grown this much.”

After that, Xiao Yun also looked back at Qin Ling .

Everyone could see that the eldest prince had become happier after he got a foster mother.

Xu Lanzhi looked at the eldest prince in a daze, her eyes full of disappointment.

It was a pity that in the harem, if some people were happy, some were ought to be disappointed.

Empress Dowager Chu raised her hand and stroked Xiao Yun ’s head, and said slowly: “ Aijia is old and has no other wishes. In addition to praying for good weather in Great Zhou , I hope that you can give birth to more children for His Majesty. Add some joy, otherwise, Yun’er will feel lonely, being alone in the palace.”

The empress dowager’s words were like stabbing Xu Lanzhi ’s heart with a knife.

The emperor refused to soak in the rain and the dew, how could she give birth?

“Speaking of adding joy… Empress dowager doesn’t have to worry.” Xu Lanzhi paused and looked at Qin Ling : “His Majesty loves Jieyu Qin so much, surely it won’t take long.”

Hearing this, Consort Liu and Consort Li ’s eyes moved at the same time.

This daughter of the Xu family was too young, and couldn’t stand provocation. Empress Dowager Chu threw a bait, and she got hooked immediately.

Empress Dowager Chu turned her gaze to Qin Ling and said with a frown: “It’s been a while since you entered the palace… Aijia heard from Imperial Physician Ning that your body is weak, and after being frightened, you fainted several times. Are you feeling better now?”

When it came to ‘fainting’, Consort Xue ’s heart surged.

Before Qin Ling could say anything, Consort Xue said from the side: “Speaking of this matter, this concubine is really ashamed.”

“If His Majesty had not arrived in time on that day, there would have been a lot of trouble.”

What Consort Xue said was really clever.

It sounded like an apology, but it was actually implying that the emperor was distracted by the harem affairs. The fact that Jieyu Qin fainted and that the emperor kept watch over her all night long had spread in the palace.

“Consort Xue , it is good that you know your mistake.”

The empress dowager turned the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, looked up at Qin Ling and said: “ Jieyu Qin , aijia knows that His Majesty loves you so, but this is not good. Live in peace and recuperate your body. The Holy One’s favor is precious, don’t fail to live up to the expectations.”

The empress dowager’s tone was not serious, but the meaning couldn’t be more obvious.

—Since your body is ill, it is not suitable for sleeping together.

Qin Ling understood the meaning of the words, and immediately bowed her body and said: “This concubine will listen to Your Highness’ words.”

Empress Dowager Chu said to Gonggong Zhang : “Go to the imperial hospital and tell Imperial Physician Wei to check on Jieyu Qin ’s pulse every day.”

After coming out of Cining Palace, Imperial Physician Wei came to Jingren Palace with a medicine box in his arms, and after half a shichen , Zhu Lan sent the person away and closed the door. Zhu Lan was so angry that she had to take two deep breaths to calm down.

The words in this harem, each sentence was more difficult to deal with than the other.

A moment ago, it was implied that Master had been favored for a long time, and that Master was weak and could not bear the mighty grace of the Holy One.

Coupled with these words from Imperial Physician Wei , her master was about to be bedridden to recuperate.

“Master’s illness is clearly cured, what a bunch of nonsense…”

Qin Ling saw that her eyes were red, and patted her on the shoulder lightly: “Well, in the future, just add one more medicated meal every day.”

“How could it be as simple as adding a medicated meal? Why did Imperial Physician Wei speak as if Master’s illness is so severe, even advising you to stay in bed…”

[T/N: This is sarcasm if it’s not clear enough]

“That’s it.” Qin Ling interrupted her: “Right now, the disaster in the imperial court is serious, this nonsense must not be repeated.”

After saying that, Qin Ling got up and went to comfort her son.

Zhu Lan naturally couldn’t understand Qin Ling ’s thought, she only felt that her master was definitely wronged.

In the evening, as soon as Qin Ling drank the herbal meal, she heard a report from outside—Consort Li was coming.

Li Yuan was here?

Qin Ling frowned. Now she was considered to be attacked by the whole group, what was Li Yuan doing by coming here?

Before she could think further, Qin Ling hurried over to greet her. Li Yuan helped her up with a smile and said softly: “ Jieyu Qin doesn’t need to be so courteous.”

The two entered the hall and sat to chat. When the tea was served, Li Yuan said: “These Goryo ginsengs were specially sent by my mother when they paid tribute last year. They have the effect of invigorating qi , revitalizing the body, and soothing the nerves. His Majesty likes to cut them into slices and soak them in tea. Jieyu Qin can drink first and taste it. If you like it, I will have someone send some over.”

“This is enough.” Qin Ling continued: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“The words said by the empress dowager today is a bit heavy, but Little Sister should not worry. I understand your thoughts.” Li Yuan spoke, and every word was just right and understanding.

“I came from Goryo, traveled here thousands of miles, without anyone to depend on. It was thanks to His Majesty’s grace alone I could enter the palace and become a consort.” Li Yuan looked into Qin Ling ’s eyes and said: “Those days when I just entered the palace, I only thought that I couldn’t fail the sacred grace, and all day long hoping that I’ll be able to spread His Majesty’s branches, but unfortunately, it made me overthink things, my period schedule became disordered… and it made me difficult to get pregnant. Ah, right. Is Little Sister’s (period) schedule still accurate?”

Qin Ling replied lightly: “Yes.”

Li Yuan pulled something out from within her sleeve, apparently a folk remedy to make one conceive easily, and also the kind of mattress that required a little cooperation from the emperor.

[T/N: I have no idea what the latter means. Perhaps some kind of mattress that allows an easier position when doing it, to conceive]

“This prescription is a bit troublesome, but as long as Little Sister asks His Majesty, he will surely take care of it.”

In order to birth him a child in her previous life, Qin Ling did not lack any physicians. Qin Ling had also learned of this kind of folk remedies from the momo s around her. However, she was pretty thin-skinned at that time, and didn’t dare to discuss it with him.

Although Qin Ling didn’t understand why Li Yuan said these things, it could be said that her words had no bad intentions today.

Qin Ling nodded and smiled: “Your Highness’ heart-to-heart words today, this concubine has memorized it.”

Li Yuan couldn’t help getting surprised after seeing her eyes.

After a long while, Li Yuan left. Returning to Changchun Palace, Cheng Min , the maid next to Li Yuan , said: “His Majesty will definitely understand my lady’s thoughts for helping Jieyu Qin today.”

As if she didn’t hear it, Li Yuan stretched out her hand to grab an orchid leaf, rubbed it slowly, and whispered: “He has truly visited another person.”

[T/N: the ‘visit’ here is as in an emperor’s visit to his concubine]

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